Nigeria Launches Diaspora Health Programme to Boost Care

The Federal Government of Nigeria launched the Nigerian Diaspora Advanced Health Programme (NIDAH-P) on Friday in Abuja, aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery by utilizing the expertise of Nigerian health professionals worldwide. The initiative, developed in collaboration with the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), seeks to bridge the gap in the country's healthcare workforce.

Mr. Daju Kachollom, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, emphasized Nigeria's commitment to moving beyond lamenting the migration of health professionals and creating sustainable mechanisms to reconnect them with the healthcare system. The program draws lessons from successful diaspora engagement in countries like the Philippines, India, and Egypt.

It involves partnerships with various professional associations, including the Nigerian Medical Association and the Nigerian Nurses Association of Germany. The NIDAH-P also features a digital portal developed with technical and financial support from the UK Foreign Commonwealth Development Office.

The initiative is part of a broader strategy to manage migration effectively and aims to convert brain drain into brain gain.